Your e-mails: Did Libby get what he deserved?

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(CNN) -- I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to investigators looking into the leak of a CIA operative's identity.

CNN.com asked readers to share their thoughts on Libby's sentence. Below is a selection of their responses, some of which have been edited for length and clarity.

Paul Eslinger of Fredericksburg, Virginia There was no admission of guilt by I. "Scooter" Libby for lying to the grand jury. The American public may never know the true story of why CIA agent Valerie Plame Wilson's name was leaked to the press. It is because of this cover-up and the lie that Libby should have received a harsher sentence.

James Greene of Sarasota, Florida I think is he is the scapegoat of this situation. The real guilty persons are in the White House. This is a cover-up! Get the real people that are responsible. The mouse took the cheese, but the rat is still out there!

Linda Crumley of Montgomery, Alabama I think it is unjust. It may not be legal entrapment, but it smells like it. A prosecutor who continues when he knows who the leaker is and that a crime has not been committed is highly unethical.

Richard Manly of Long Beach, California President Bush will pardon Scooter on his last day in office for falling on his sword like a good soldier. But until then -- he has to ask permission to go to the bathroom, and sometimes the answer will be "no." There's justice in that.

Denise Novak of Winnetka, IllinoisPrison time for a person like Scooter Libby is nothing but a waste of taxpayers' money. The more sensible thing for the government to do is put him to work, without pay, to help a failing business, raise money for shelter homes, help rebuild after Katrina, etc. This notion of putting nonthreatening individuals in jail is so archaic. Put this man to work to better society. The federal government. needs to stop playing "Gotcha" with people that could do more for society than sitting, wasting away in a prison. His talents should be utilized.

Warren Wallace of Santa Monica, California Thirty years would have been a more fitting punishment

Myrna Wade of Sitka, Alaska I am ashamed of our supposed justice system. This sentence is a gross injustice. This trial was political and a horrible waste of time and money. This person is not guilty of any crime worth taking up jail space. Ruining his reputation is a poor example of the worst our system can do.

Dean Smith of Corunna, MichiganFor the offense, 30 months is a fair sentence. Public officials need to be held to the highest level of accountability, and subsequently, when they betray the public trust deserve the longest sentence. I believe he is a scapegoat for others, but also believe that he knew what he was doing was wrong. I hope that he will not be pardoned to send a message to others: Do not abuse your office of the public's trust!

Scott Westphal of Great Falls, Montana Now tell me why Libby received 30 months in prison and Clinton's aide, for stealing documents from the National Archives, received nothing.

David Klein of Vero Beach, Florida Unfortunately, this is another case of a high-level governmental official getting off with very little punishment. It seems that the Bush administration overall is able to keep dodging true justice.

Mary Lino of Antioch, California Considering he was dealing with issues having to do with the safety of our nation and what he did endangered more than one person and was illegal -- the sentence seems light to me. And the money must be a bit like pocket change to a guy with as many resources and money as he must have. I will be really upset if Mr. Bush pardons him!

David Cooper of Batesville, Arizona I am a staunch Republican, but I was horrified that Libby "outed" a CIA agent for revenge. He deserves every second of this sentence. You mess with national security and you are a terrorist. I have no pity for him. Bye-bye, Scooter.

Steve Coleman of Severna Park, Maryland Government officials should be held to a higher standard and hence should get stiffer sentences for breaking the law and public trust.

Justin Warner of Jackson Heights, New York The sentence is just; what is unjust is that no one was prosecuted for actually leaking the name. This whole episode has ranked among the most hypocritical and distasteful acts of the Bush administration -- in a very competitive field. Can you imagine the noise they'd have made if, instead, a Democrat had disclosed the name of a CIA agent in a time of war? Yet Rove, Libby, Cheney, et al were willing to do so -- and cover it up -- all in the name of political revenge. They are not only despicable, they're un-American.

Sue Norris of Altoona, Iowa If Martha Stewart receives a prison sentence for lying, then Scooter Libby should also, and everyone else who tries it.

Bill Wamby of Holly, Michigan I have seen this movie before and didn't like the ending. He appeals his sentence until he's pardoned by his ex-boss, writes a book and retires to the lecture circuit a comfortably wealthy man.